RTHK staff charged for alleged script-writing claim fraud
2007-10-18
The ICAC has charged two staff of the Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) for allegedly making false claims of script-writing and research fees in separate cases.
In the first case, Chan King-chong, 40, Programme Officer of RTHK, faces 10 counts of agent using document with intent to deceive his principal, contrary to Section 9(3) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, and two counts of conspiracy to defraud. He will appear in Kowloon City Magistracy at 9:30 am on Monday (October 22).
At the time of the alleged offences, Chan was an Assistant Programme Officer of RTHK.
Ten of the charges allege that Chan had dishonestly used 10 payment request forms purporting to show that his mother had provided script-writing services to RTHK, with intent to deceive RTHK.
The remaining two charges allege Chan of conspiring to defraud RTHK by falsely representing that his mother and another person had respectively provided services as an artiste and script-writing and research services for RTHK.
These offences were said to have taken place between October 2000 and February 2002.
As a result of the alleged fraud, RTHK had paid a total of $93,900.
In a separate case, Vera Lee, 35, Producer of RTHK, has been charged for allegedly pocketing script-writing and research fees and handling the crime proceeds.
Lee will appear in Kowloon City Magistracy at 9:30 am on Monday on three counts of theft and three of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence.
The charges allege Lee of stealing a total of $18,900 belonging to the government between May and August 2001, and dealing with the crime proceeds during the period.
RTHK had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The defendants have been released on ICAC bail, pending their court appearances on Monday.
In the first case, Chan King-chong, 40, Programme Officer of RTHK, faces 10 counts of agent using document with intent to deceive his principal, contrary to Section 9(3) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, and two counts of conspiracy to defraud. He will appear in Kowloon City Magistracy at 9:30 am on Monday (October 22).
At the time of the alleged offences, Chan was an Assistant Programme Officer of RTHK.
Ten of the charges allege that Chan had dishonestly used 10 payment request forms purporting to show that his mother had provided script-writing services to RTHK, with intent to deceive RTHK.
The remaining two charges allege Chan of conspiring to defraud RTHK by falsely representing that his mother and another person had respectively provided services as an artiste and script-writing and research services for RTHK.
These offences were said to have taken place between October 2000 and February 2002.
As a result of the alleged fraud, RTHK had paid a total of $93,900.
In a separate case, Vera Lee, 35, Producer of RTHK, has been charged for allegedly pocketing script-writing and research fees and handling the crime proceeds.
Lee will appear in Kowloon City Magistracy at 9:30 am on Monday on three counts of theft and three of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence.
The charges allege Lee of stealing a total of $18,900 belonging to the government between May and August 2001, and dealing with the crime proceeds during the period.
RTHK had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The defendants have been released on ICAC bail, pending their court appearances on Monday.